Does Tears of the Kingdom Have a Post-Game?
Let’s cut to the chase: Tears of the Kingdom, much like its predecessor Breath of the Wild, doesn’t offer a traditional post-game in the sense of a new story chapter or significant world alteration after defeating Ganondorf. Once you’ve vanquished the Demon King and watched the ending cutscenes, you’ll be returned to the title screen. Loading your save will bring you back to the point just before the final battle. While this might seem disappointing to some, it’s a design choice that allows players to continue exploring Hyrule and completing unfinished tasks without the world being permanently altered by Ganon’s defeat. Think of it less as a “post-game” and more as extended playtime with a completionist focus.
Understanding Tears of the Kingdom’s “Extended Playtime”
The absence of a true post-game narrative doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to do after defeating Ganondorf. Far from it! Tears of the Kingdom is a massive open-world game overflowing with content. The game encourages exploration and discovery, which is supported by this design choice.
Upon reloading your save file, you’ll notice a star icon, indicating that you’ve completed the main story. You’ll also find a completion percentage displayed on the map screen. This percentage tracks your progress in discovering map locations, not quest completion or other activities. This encourages players to return to the world to uncover what they have not yet discovered, or complete quests that were left incomplete.
Embracing the Completionist Mindset
So, what can you do after beating Ganondorf? Here’s a taste:
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Complete Side Quests and Adventures: Hyrule is brimming with side quests and adventures that offer unique stories, challenges, and rewards.
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Discover All Shrines: With 152 shrines scattered across Hyrule’s surface and sky islands, there’s plenty of brain-bending puzzles to solve.
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Find All Korok Seeds: Collecting all 1000 Korok Seeds (or, more accurately, finding all 800 Korok locations) is a monumental task for even the most dedicated players.
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Upgrade Your Armor: Strengthening Link’s defenses is crucial for tackling tougher enemies and challenges.
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Explore the Depths: The vast, dark underworld beneath Hyrule offers unique environments, resources, and enemies.
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Track Down Rare Items and Gear: Discover powerful weapons, armor sets, and unique items hidden throughout the world.
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Unlock Kilton’s Medals: Kilton offers medals for defeating all Hinox, Stone Talus, and Molduga.
In essence, Tears of the Kingdom‘s “post-game” is about embracing the freedom to explore and complete everything the game has to offer at your own pace. It’s about setting your own goals and enjoying the vastness of Hyrule without the pressure of the main story. It encourages players to engage with the intricate world and systems the developers meticulously created.
Why No Traditional Post-Game?
Nintendo’s decision to forgo a traditional post-game likely stems from a desire to maintain the player’s agency and preserve the integrity of the world state. A significant narrative shift after defeating Ganondorf could potentially undermine the sense of accomplishment and alter the carefully crafted balance of the game. By allowing players to return to the pre-final battle state, they can continue to experiment, explore, and enjoy the world without restrictions. The developers provided the players with a playground of content to engage in.
Furthermore, the focus on exploration and discovery aligns perfectly with the absence of a structured post-game. The game’s design philosophy encourages players to create their own adventures and define their own goals. A post-game narrative could potentially detract from this sense of freedom and limit the player’s options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tears of the Kingdom’s Post-Game
Here are some frequently asked questions about Tears of the Kingdom’s post-game (or lack thereof) to further clarify the situation:
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What exactly happens after I beat Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom? You are returned to the title screen. Loading your save puts you back in Hyrule just before the final battle, with a star icon on your save file indicating completion.
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Is there a new game plus feature in Tears of the Kingdom? No, there is no traditional New Game Plus mode that carries over items or abilities.
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Does defeating Ganondorf change Hyrule Castle? No, Hyrule Castle remains in its pre-battle state after defeating Ganondorf.
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Do Korok Seeds count towards the 100% completion rate? No, Korok seeds do not count toward the completion rate. The map completion is the percentage that appears.
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What’s the best armor in Tears of the Kingdom for post-game exploration? The Zonaite Armor, Fierce Deity Armor, and Glide Armor are all excellent choices depending on your play style.
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Can I still get Epona in Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, if you have a Breath of the Wild save file on the same Switch, Epona will automatically be registered at the first stable you visit.
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Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom? According to Nintendo, there are no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom.
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What unlocks after beating Ganondorf Tears of the Kingdom? Defeating Ganondorf unlocks Kilton offering medals for killing all Hinox, Stone Talus and Moldugas.
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How many shrines are in TOTK? There are 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom.
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Has anyone 100% Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, several players have achieved 100% completion in Tears of the Kingdom.
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How many Koroks are in Tears of the Kingdom? There are 1000 Korok Seeds in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
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Where is Majora’s Mask in TOTK? Majora’s Mask is located in the Floating Coliseum in the Depths.
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Does Zelda turn back from a dragon? Yes, Zelda turns back into a human after Link defeats Ganondorf.
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Can you keep playing after beating Ganon Tears of the Kingdom? Yes, you are returned to the title screen, you can still go back to tie up any loose ends after beating the final boss.
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Should I play Breath of the Wild again before Tears of the Kingdom? It’s not strictly necessary, but playing Breath of the Wild can enhance your appreciation for Tears of the Kingdom‘s world and mechanics.
In summary, Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t have a traditional post-game, but it offers extensive playtime after defeating Ganondorf, focused on exploration, completion, and player-driven goals. So, if you are looking for a narrative expansion after defeating the final boss, you will not find it here, however if you are looking for hundreds more hours of gameplay, with the freedom to complete what you want, how you want, then Tears of the Kingdom will meet those expectations.
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